Walkin' the Talk
Lots of headlines about sustainability and your carbon footprint; reducing emissions and embracing the low carbon economy. But unless we commit to change, it's all just chatter and the flavour of the week. Fact of the matter is, we can all make meaningful changes in the way we live, work and play — right now — with available technologies and by reducing our consumption and waste. Here's what we're doing…

100% of the electricity used by Design HQ is certified by the EcoLogo Program as green electricity from new green projects (operational post 2001). This electricity is generated without emissions and is supplied to Design HQ by Bullfrog Power. Design HQ and principals, Kelly Brooks and Ian McSorley are all BC 100 members — founding members of Bullfrog Power's leap into BC. 100% of their commercial and residential electricity is from new low-impact wind energy projects in British Columbia.

This commitment is particularly important for our industry. In 2007 emissions by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector matched that of the aviation industry (~2%). The environmental impact of ICT is compounded by its 6% annual growth rate — making status quo for what is commonly thought to be a clean industry sector — unsustainable. But on the bright side, The Climate Group's Smart 2020 Report says, "ICT’s largest influence will be by enabling energy efficiencies in other sectors, an opportunity that could deliver carbon savings five times larger than the total emissions from the entire ICT sector in 2020."

Our commitment to 0 emissions new renewable energy coupled with avoiding further emissions through some of the following business practices helps us lead by example. If we all implemented these practices right now, we would help get this problem under control. It is do-able.

Dematerialization: Moving electrons rather than people and products

The best commute is no commute: Design HQ fosters working relationships with employees and contractors that enjoy telecommuting. We see our programmer in London, England as often as we see our programmer in Delta, BC — nearly never! No commute means no fuel, no emissions and no time wasted in traffic. It also means our talent pool has no geographic limitations. Win-win!

We regularly use GoToMeeting to host virtual meetings with clients in Sweden, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, the UK, Australia, South Africa, Turkey and other parts of North America. Traveling by computer rather than jet helps us keep our carbon footprint as small as possible (not to mention far lower costs to our clients).

Reduced Transport: As often as possible, print design for our national and international clients is distributed electronically then printed and distributed regionally, reducing material transportation costs and related fuel consumption and emissions. Examples include SRK Consulting whose South Africa, Australia, Brazil and UK offices download files via Dropbox for printing and distribution regionally.

So, does that really make a difference? Look at this example: Trucking 4,000 brochures from Vancouver to Toronto emits 0.87 tons of hydrocarbons, 2.62 tons of CO and 14.0 tons of NOx. Emissions from air freight are over 13 times higher. By comparison, downloading a print file emits 0.087 lb of CO2 equivalent (unless it's downloaded from Design HQ, which cuts those emissions in half, since we're 100% wind powered). That's a pretty big spread.

Even regional projects such as the downloadable print resources for Homelessness Action Week eliminate the need to transport goods. In fact, our local courier trips in 2011 were 33% of what they were in 2005 — and that number continues to decline. Good news considering that, on average, each local delivery produces more than 2 kg (5 lb) of carbon dioxide (CO2) along with other smog-forming pollutants.

Innovation, efficiency and waste reduction

Energy Efficiency: We use Macs. Apple is committed to low-impact manufacturing practices and their new generation of iMacs have earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold for their recyclability, energy efficiency, design and manufacturing. Independent studies consistently show that Macs use significantly less power than PCs so they generate less heat. Combine that with and a cross-ventilated office and we get along comfortably without AC. OK — we may need the occasional popsicle break or a late afternoon ice-cold beer in mid-August, but we have an Energy Star fridge!

Waste Not: We develop innovative ways to keep materials out of the solid waste stream and repurpose them as environmentally beneficial products such as the reusable nylon shopping bags we've developed from Commercial Drive's old street banners. (see the eco-audit for this project). Another pet project of Ian's is the Put A Cork In It recycling program.

Benefit Calculators: Our environmental benefit calculators have quantified the cumulative impact of purchasing decisions for many of our clients' customers. These are very persuasive marketing tools because they use tangible examples and provide hard numbers substantiated by data from reliable 3rd party sources.

Non-toxic: Design HQ's building and grounds have been pesticide-free since 1991 and we plan on keeping it that way. Our cleaners use environmentally preferable products such as Seventh Generation and Ecover or their own vinegar & lemon recipe that's nice enough to put on your fish & chips! On-site composting transforms approximately 1.5 cubic meters of annual kitchen waste into about 0.75 cubic meters of humus which goes into roof-deck planters and garden beds.

Still Improving: We have to admit, we still have a few incandescent light bulbs burning (jury's still out on CFs) but we've completely kicked our paper cup habit at coffee time. Our organic espresso coffee bag goes back to Prado Café for refills and we try to use the 'off' button on the power bars a little more than we used to!